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LHAÄD “Beneath”
LHAÄD “Beneath”
By Dr. Abner Mality
The hadal zone is the deepest and darkest level of the ocean, where no light penetrates and the water pressure is enough to crush submarines into a ball of wreckage. Here dwell the strange creatures of the abyss and likely many lifeforms undreamed of by man. The Belgian black collective LHAÄD is fascinated by this abyssal realm and their very name is an anagram of “hadal”. They say that their particular brand of BM is meant to sound like something composed in those unfathomable deeps. And they are so far below the surface that I was unable to even find a link for the band!
They are not the only band to draw inspiration from the hadiopelagic zone. AHAB have done a good job with their nautical funeral doom and the post-metal band THE OCEAN did some very stirring works set in the abyss. LHAÄD are somewhat successful with their watery brand of blackness but only occasionally do I get the feeling of utter darkness and coldness you’d find at the bottom of the sea. I think that aura is a difficult thing to capture if you haven’t been there...and how many people can say that they have?
Nevertheless, “Beneath” is a very listenable and enjoyable slab of black metal with a twist. The band eschew song titles...each of the 6 tracks has only a numeral for identification. They have wisely given each track its own identity and feel, without losing the overall vibe of “deepness”. The songs are well composed and the production is strong. Track 2 is the most traditional “black metal” number while Track 3 has more of a doomy, gloomy feeling. Track 4 and 5 have some pretty aggressive and fast riffs mixed with murkier, more melodic tones. I have to say that I get more of the “deep” feeling from the slower parts. The final track puts it all together and seems to collapse under its own vast weight, ending with the endless roar of the ocean.
It’s a good album and a fine start for LHAÄD but I have a feeling their explorations of the hadal zone have just begun. There is further and deeper to go.
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